‘Let Gram Sabha execute Govt schemes’

A  State-level consultation on PESA and FRA was organised by the Adivasi Janjati Adhikar Manch (AJAM) and Athakoshia Adivasi Ekata Manch here on July 26.

More than 65 tribal leaders from Sundargarh, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Bargarh, and Nuapada joined and shared their experience and views pertaining to the self-assertion of Gram Sabha under PESA and FRA.

Attending the workshop Biramitrapur MLA and tribal leader George Tirkey said, “Gram Sabha under PESA is a Constitutional process. The tribals have the right to get united and air their voice.”

Talsara MLA Dr Prafulla Majhi said, “Empowerment of Gram Sabha is the key to the development of the tribal communities. PESA provides enormous opportunity for this. Decentralization of power through providing authority to Gram Sabha under PESA can bring change in the existing power relations.” He also called for restructuring the present system of Gram Sabha and urged the Governor to appoint a commission for the restructuring work.

Athakoshia Adivasi Ekata Manch member Kedar Mundari said the effort of declaring PESA village is a constitutional process as the Constitution of India gives the right to the tribal communities to have their own self-governance through Gram Sabha in the scheduled areas.”

While sharing the experience,  Bilua Naik, the traditional leader of the Paudi Bhuyan, said instead of accepting the provisions of PESA, the external agencies are disregarding the authority of Gram Sabha.

Naik urged that the Government need to consider Gram Sabha as a partner in implementing various schemes and programmes.

Athkoshia Ekta Manch member Suprian Xaxa, Paudi Bhuyan member Jhara Naik, among others, spoke.